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12 Sheets-Sheet 1. J. B.-G. A. OANET. GUN GARRIAGE.

Patented septtm, 1889.

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GUN CARRIAGE.

Patented'Sept. 10

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GUN. CARRIAGE.

NQ.410,968.' Patented Sept-I 1889-.

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' 12 Sheets-Sheet 4. J. B. G. A; GANET.

GUN CARRIAGE.

Patented se mo 1889.

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' 12 heets-Sheet 5. J. B. G. A. OANET.

- GUN CARRIAGE. No. 410,968. Patented Sept. 10, 1889.

N. PETERS. Phrflvuihugrapher, Waanmlion, o. c.

(No ModeL) i2 Sheets'-Sheet 6. J- Bn GI A! GUN CARRIAGE. N0. 410,968. Patented Sept. 10', 1889.

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' (No Model.) 12 Sheets-Sheet 7.

J. B. G. A. (JANET.

GUN CARRIAGE.

. Patented Sept.10, 1889..

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J. B. G. A. GANET. GUN CARRIAGE.

- No. 410,968. Patented Sept. 10, 1889.

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(No Model.) 12 Sheets-Sheet 11.

J. B. G. A. GANET.

GUN CARRIAGE.

Patented Sept. 10

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v GUN CARRIAGE. N0.'4 10,968. Patented Sept. 10, 1889.

.fzvezziaz' Jearafi 61 1. three? u. PETERS. momma", Wahingtcn. ma 7 1 UNITED STATES PATENT OF CE.

JEAN BAPTISTE GUSTAVE AD LPHE (JANET, or PARIS, FRANCE; ASSIGNOR on ONF-HALF 'ro SIR'JOSEPHI WHrrWoRfrH' & co, (LlMITED,) -OF 'MAN- CHESTER, ENGLAND.

GUN-CARRIAGE. it

SPECIFICATION forming'part of Letters Patent No. 410,968, dated september 10,1889. Application filed July 11 1888. Serial No. 279,692. (No niodold. Patented in France July 3, 1885, No. 169,821, and in Enga 5 Paris, France, have invented new and useful Improvements in Gun Carriages or Mountings (for which I have obtained patents in Great Britain, No. 9,427, dated July 2, 1887,

once being had to the accompanying drawings.

This invention relates chiefly to a gun car riage or mounting wherein the gun'is rigidly secured in a cradle fitted to slide in or upon a segmental frame or top carriagenvhich isformed with and moves on bearing-surfaces in the arc of a circle for elevating the gun, and which has in the chord of the are a bear- 2o ing-surfa'ce or slide whereon the cradle with the gun, in the recoil, always moves against resistance inv a line coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the gun and intersecting the center "of the circle. Therefore, whatever maybe the angle of elevation, theforce of the recoil and the resistance thereto are exerted in, or along, or parallel to this linethat is'to say,-the thrusts or stresses due to T thereooil are always'directly upon and resisted by the parts of the structure immedicarriage or mounting is chiefly denigned for breech-loading guns.

The said invention affords the means for constructing a' compact and eflicient guno mountingfor howitzers and other guns to be fired at a very high elevation. "lhese'gun carriages or mountings can be advantageously employed for land or sea service for guns of any caliber.-

In the accompanying.drawings, Figure lis an elevation of one side ofa gun carriage or mounting constructed according to my said invention, the gun being shown in a firing 'or clips B. Y

' land m 2, 1887,110. 9,427.

' position Fig. 2 is a vertical longitudinal central section, drawn to an enlarged scale, of the said carriage or mounting, the gun being shown in dotted lines inthe loading andanother firing position. Fig. 3 is partly a rear elevation and partly a transverse section on" theline w :r, Fig.2, also drawn to an enlarged 5 5 g I scale,son 1e of the parts being ren'ioved. Fig. andin France, No. 169,921, dated July 3, 1885,) 10 of which the following isa specifiation, refer- 4 is a vertical longitudinal section on theline a." 00, Fig. ,3, showing details of construction. Fig.'5 is a horizontal section on the line 06 -00 Fig. 2. Figs. 6, 7', 8, and 9 are views illustrat- 6o ing a device for permitting the return of the gun to the loading position under the action of gravity, as hereinafter explained. Fig. 10 is a vertical longitudinal central section illustrating ainodification of my invention. Fig.

..11 is a transverse section on the line y y, Fig. 10. Fig. 12 is a horizontal section 'on the line y'fly', Fig. 10. Fig. 13 is partly avertical' longitudinal central section and partly a section through thecentcr of one of the brake-cylinders, illustrating another modification of mysaid invention. Fig. 14 is partly a'front elevation and partly a transverse section ,on the line 11 1 Fig. 13. Fig. 15 is partly an under side view and partly a horizontal section on the line 1 y ,'Fig. 13. Fig. 16 is a plan, Fig. 17 aside elevation, and Fig. 18 a vertical longitudinal central section,

illustrating a further-modification of my said invention. Fig. 19 is'partly a realelevation So and partly a transverse' -section on the line .2 Fig, 18, drawn to an enlarged scale.

- .lLik'e letters indicate corresponding parts" throughout the drawings. A is the base-plateor racer.

5 5B is the turn-table, frame, or under carriage, which is supported thereon through the medium of rollers (or balls) A','and is securely held and kept from tilting means ofhooks O C C are the sides or cheeks of the gun- 9 mounting proper or top carriage. Each of these. cheeks has the form of a circular seg- 1nei.t, along. the chord of which is a flanged face or slide. 0 'lhe'nangcs or slides C serves as guides forthe recoil-brake cylinders D, which are rigidly connected by a transom E, forming a cradle in which the gun F is supported and held by a strap h or otherwise. The recoil-brake piston-rods 'D are firmly secured in brackets or supporting-pieces G, formed with or attached to the cheeks O C at the rear end thereof. -These supportingpieces are provided with rollers G, arranged to travel upon the segmental roller-paths H .of the turn-table or under carriage B. Other rollers K are combined with the said turntable or under carriage for supporting the sides or checks 0 C. The recoil-brake cylinders D communicate, by means of pipes or passages a, with a third cylinder L, formed with or firmly attached to the transom E, and containing liquid. This cylinder has a piston M, which is subjected to the action of a spring N, (preferably-a socalled Belleville spring,) or of compressed air, so thatuit will keep under pressure the whole volume of liquid contained in the three cylinders, and will act as a recuperator for effecting the running outor return of the gun to the firing position. I

The cylinder L is provided with a loaded valve 0, which will be lifted or forced from its seat during the recoil and will return to its seat on the termination thereof. The cylinder L is, moreover, connected with the pipes or passages a. by a by pass or passage b, provided with a check-valve b. An adjustable valve 0 is provided, whereby this passage b maybe closed or the extent of its opening for loading.

regulated at will. 1

It will be seen that in the caseof a breechloading gun the arrangement of the recuperators herein described affords ready access A screw-shaft P, having fixed thereon a hand-wheel P, is provided for effecting the vertical pointing or elevation of the gun. The.

neck of this screw-shaft turns in a bearing or sleeve Q, secured to the under carriage B, and the screw-threaded part of the said shaft works in a nut R, secured to the side or check 0 of the top carriage. and nut R are arranged to turn on pins or pivots, to permit the requisite angular changes of position of the elevating-screw P throughout the movements of the top carriage, and thus allow the said screw to act properly with any degree of elevation of the gun.

The turn-table or under carriage Bis arranged to be rotated by means of a toothed pinion S, geared wit-h a circular rack' T on the base-plate or racer A, and operated by means of a worm b" and worm-wheel S by a chain and pitch wheel, or other suitable means are provided for rotating the said turn-table or under carriage.

In the gunanounting illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 a hand or pointer U is attached to one of the pieces G to indicate upon a graduated scale V on the turn-table or under carriage B the angle of elevation of the gun. A

The said bearing Q hand or pointer X is, moreover, attached to the turn-table or under ear) tag-e B for indicating upon a graduated scale Y on the baseplate or racer A the angle through which the gun moves when'traversed or trained.

The operation of the apparatus illustrated in Figs. 1 to 5 is as follows, viz: In the recoil the liquid displaced from the brake-cyli nd ers D is forced through the passages (6 into the cylinder L, and acting upon the. piston M compresses the spring N, thereby storing up energy for effecting the running out or return of the gun to the firing position. The valve 0 is opened by the liquid as it enters the cylinder L and closes at the termination of the recoil. The said liquid can only return to the brake-cylinders D through the by pass or passage b when the valve 0 is opened. This passage is made small enough to insure a slow return movement of the gun' to the firing position. Moreover, the velocity of this movement can be very accurately regulated or determined by the adjustment of the valve c. The gun and top carriage can be moved into the loadingposition (indicated in Fig. 2) by turning the screw-shaft P by means of the handwheel P in one direction, and can be moved back to the firing position (indicated in Fig. 1) by turning the said hand-wheel in the-reverse direction.

It will be seen that the bearing surfaces or, slides C on which the cradle moves extend to equal, or about equal, distances on either side of the center about which the top carriage moves for elevating the gun, therefore the center of gravity of the carriage and (in the case of short guns) of the gun' also will be within the base or support of the said top carriage and the elevation of the gun can be effected with very little power.

If the energy accumulated in the spring N during the recoil is not snfficient to raise the gun when the top carriage is in the position shown in Fig. 1, the running out or return movement of the gun will not be completed until the said carriage is moved to, or nearly to,-the position shown in Fig. 2.

If theicenter of gravity of the gun when run out bythe recuperator is forward of the center of movement of the top carriage, the gun will gravitate to the loading position-'- that is to say, the gun and 'topcarriage will tend to return to the loading position under the action of gravity. This automatic return is. however, prevented by the elevating mechanism. v

I sometimes provide forpermitting the automatic return of the gun and top carriage to the loading position by the release or disconnection of the same from the elevating mechanism. I accomplish this result, for instance, by the employment of the device shown in Figs. 6 to 9. This device comprises two half nuts or jaws cl, which are pivoted at (Z to a pin or'bolt e, fitted to turn in a bearing in the cheek C. Fi 6 is .a plan of the said device,

showingalso part of the elevating-shaft.

Fig. 7 is an end elevationof the said device, showing the elevating-shaft in transverse section. Fig. 8 is a transverse section on the line a5 J03, Fig. 6, showing the said jaws closed, and Fig. 9 is a transverse section on the line 00 Fig. 6, showing the said jaws open. The jaws (Z are adapted to engage .with the elevating-shaft I and take the place of the nut R, above described. A cam f is connected with the said jaws by means of screws g, passing through slots f inthe said cam. This cam is provided with a lever or handle f whereby it may be turned upon or about its axis to open and close the said jaws. To elevate the gun, the'said jaws are caused to engage with the shaft I, and thesai'd shaft is then rotated in the proper direction. To permit .the return of'the gun" to the loading: position, the jaws are opened, and thus disengage from theshaft P, so that it can move endwise freely bet-ween them. The gun and top carriage are retained in position during the loading by means of a locking-bolt or other suitable device.

In some instances I so arrange the gun that when loaded the center of gravity of the 1nass-that is to say, of the. top carriage andthe gun with the projectile and powdercharge therein-'-will be in rear of the centerof movement of the top carriage, and the gun .will gravitate to its firingangle, so that unless held by the saidlocking-bolt otherwise, itwill be elevated or brought to a firing angle by gravity.- In this case an. adjustable stop should be provided-on the elevating-screw or other convenient part of the mounting to-insure the return of the gun to the same firing angle after it hasbeen fired and reloaded.

- The working of the gun in this case is elfected as followsthatis to say, when the gun after being fired has recoiled and been run out by the recuperator, itis disconnected from the elevatingmechanism, as above described, and

the muzzle end of the gun preponderating the gun and top carriage return to the load ing position under the action of gravity. They are retained in this position during the loading by means of the locking-bolt. lVlien the gun is loaded, thelocking-bolt is withdrawn and the breech end of the gun preponderatingthe gun is elevated, under the action of gravity, until itsmovement is arrested by the aforesaid stop.

spring N, and other parts-hereinbcfore described, are sometimes employed, as shown in Figs: 10, 11, and 12 orthe number or strength of the recupcrator springs is augmented. This automatic running out of the gun and By the construction and at, rangement of the gun'andgun-mounting in movementthereof from the firing angle to given to the gun about its trunnions, and suitable means bcing provided for releasing 'the elevating-gear. For instance, I sometimes adopt the constructionshown in Figs. 1-3, 14, and 15. In this case I employ an ordinary frame orunder carriage havingslides of slight inclination, upon which is supported the top carriage, consisting ofthe-hydraulic brakecylinders D, rigidly connected by thetransoinE. f v

The gun is arranged to be adjusted vertically by means of a suitable device which causes it to turn upon or about its trunnions. Ordinary elevating-gear, comprising a segmental rack and pinion actuated by a worm and worm-wheel, may be used; or either of the forms of elevating mechanism described in the specification of another application filed by me for Letters Patent of the United States. Suitable means must, however, be provided for releasing the said mechanism and disconnecting it from the gun when required. Y

The extremity of eachpiston-rod II) bears against or is secured in a bracket or abutment at the extremity of the slide.

A recuperator-cylinder L, for effecting-the IOC - running out or return of the gun to the firing position, is provided inthe carriage between the said brake-cylinders and below the gun. Its piston M is loaded by springs N. During the recoil the liquid forced from thebrake-cylid inders D enters the third cylinder L through suitable channels, lifting the valve '0 and forcing back the pistonM and compressing the springs N. At. the termination of the recoil the liquid under pressure inelosed in the cylinder L is forced out through a small orifice in the valve or through a by-pass, substantially as herei-nbefore described with reference to Figs. 1 to 5, so that the running out .of the gun will be effected regularly. and without any shock or jar." If desired, I use two or more recuperator-cylinders.

A further modification of my invent-ion, which is particularly advantageous in .the ease of guns without trunnions, is shown in Figs. '16 to '19. The gun is secured in the transom E, between the brake -cyl;inders fl), by ine'ans of a band or. strap h, the said transom being formed with projections '6 and grooves i, as shown in Fig. 18, which fit corresponding grooves and projections on the body of the gun. In this case, as in Figs. .1,

2, and 3, the position of the gun and recoilslide relatively to each other is always the same. The brake-cylinders I) are connected by pipes or passages a with a third cylinder I L, in which works a hollow piston M. The

ro -r end of the cylinder L forms with the hotlow piston Ell an air-chamber. On the recoil taking place the liquid from the brake-cylinders l) is forced into the cylinder l and drives the hollow piston )l backward, thus compressing the air in the said chamber. When the recoil has ceased, the compressed air in the said chamber reacts and elfects the return ofthe gun to the firing position.

A pump 7c, provided with an' operating-levor /d, is employed for running the gun out by hand when required." This pump is connected by pipes Zwith the cylinder L. It can be used, for instance, if from any cause the air has not been sufiicicntly compressed by the force of the recoil, to return the gun to the firing position. I can, if desired, use for this purpose air or liquid under pressure from an accumulator or reservoir.

A stop m, Figs. 17 and 1b, is provided on each of the checks C C", to opcrate,in combination with a lmtierorcushion a. on the turntable I}, for the purpose of preventing or diminishing any shock or concussion on depressing the gun to its low t position. Steps 0 0', Fig. 17, are, moreover provided on each of the cheeks (J C, to operate, in combination with butters or cushions p p, on the cylinders I), for the purpose of preventing or diminishing shock or concussion in the recoil and return movement of the gun and top carriage.

I sometimes provide for elevating the gun by means of a pinion geared with a circular 'ack formed or fixed on one of the cheeks C U, or by means of a worm geared with a worm-wheel or a segment of a worm-wheel formed on or attached to one of the said checks.

My improved gun *mounting is ad vantageously applicable to guns designed to be tired either in a horizontal position or at any desired angle of elevation, and it will be seen that the shock of the recoil is always transmitted through the brakes to the frame or under carriage, whatever he the angle of clevation of the gun.

What I claim is-.

1. In a mounting for abrcech-loading gun, the combination of a cradle or its equivalent in which the gun is mounted, and which is open at the rear to permitacccss tothebrcech ol' the gun, a top carriage having a bearing surface or slide upon which the said cradle is supported and moves in the recoil, and abase. or under carriage upon which the said top carriage is supported and is arranged to turn.

about a horizontal axis extending through a point between the ends of -the said bearing surface orslide, for the purposes above speci lied.

2. ln-a mounting for a breech-loading gun, the combinat ion of a eradleor its equivalent in which the gun is mounted, and which is open at the will topermii accesstothcbrcceh oi the gnn,a topcarriage havingbearing-surfaces or slides upon which the said cradle is supported and moves in the recoil, an under carriage provided with bearing-surfaces on which the said top carriage is movable (for elevating the gun) through an arc of a circle the. chord of which is in a plane extending through or parallel to the said bearing surfaces or slides on the top carriage, andabrake for controlling the recoil and return movement of the gun,forthe purposes above specitied.

3. In a gun-numnting, the combination of a cradle or frame in which the gun is rigidly secured, cheeks upon which the said cradle or frame is supported and arranged to slide, and an under carriage upon which the said checks are supported and are arranged to turn about a horizontal axis intersecting the longitudinal axis of the gun, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

4. .In a gun-mounting,thecombination of a cradle or frame in which the gun is mounted, segmental cheeks upon which the said cradle or frame is supported and ar 'angcd to slide, an under carriage upon which the said checks are supported and are movable about a horizontal axis, a hydraulic brake for controlling the recoil movement of the said cradle upon the said cheeks, and a recuperator connected by suitable channels or passages with the cylinder of the said brake, for effecting the return movement of the said cradle after the recoil, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

5. Inagun-mounting,'the combination of a cradle or equivalent support for the gun, a segmental top carriage upon which the said cradle is supported and arranged to slide, an under carriage upon which the said top carriage is supported and movable through an arc of a circle, and elevating mechanism comprising a screw tilted to rotate in a hearing attached to the said under carriage, and" a nut in which the said screw works and which is attached to the top carriage, the said nut being made in halves, substantially as above described, so that the gun after being elevated may be released to permitits return to the loading position by gravity, as above specified.

6. In a gun-mounting, the combination of a cradle or equivalent support for the gun, a top carriage upon which the said cradle is supported and arranged to slide, an under. carriage upon which the said top carriage is supported and is movable through an arc of a circle, an elevating-screw, a bearing in which the said screw is titted to rotate and which attached to the said under carriage so that it is capable oi angular movement or adjustment, and a nut in which the said screw works and which is attached to the said top carriage so that it is capable of angular movement or adjust-ment, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

7. In a gun-mounting, the combination of acradlo or equivalentsupport tortho gun, a

top carriage upon which the said cradle is supported and rranged to slide, an under carriage upon which the said top carriage is supported and is movable through an arc of a circle, an elevating-screw, abearingin which the said screw-is fitted to rotate and which is attached to the said under carriage so that it is capable of angular movement or adjustment, a nut in which the said screw works and which is attached to the said top carriage so that it is'capable of angular move' ment or adj nstment, and means, substantially such as above described, for releasing or disengaging the said nut from the saidscrew, substantially as and for the purposes set forth. i

8. In a gun-mounting, the combination of a cradle for the gun, a top'carriage provided wit-ha bearing surface or slid-e upon which the'said cradle is supported and m ves in the recoil, arrunder carriage-upon which the said top carriage is supported and is movable about a horizontal axis extending through a point between theends of the said bearing surface or slide, a brake for controlling the movement of the said cradle upon the top carriage, and .a recuperator connected with the said brake, and wherebythe gun, after its recoil, will be automatically run out to the firing position at any angle of elevation, the

center of gravity of the gun, cradle, and top carriage when the gun is run out being forward of the said horizontal axis, so that the gun will gravitate to the loading position, but being sufliciently near to the'said axis to insurethe gravitation of the gun to its firing angle when loaded, substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

9. In a gun-iiiounting, the combination of a cradle for the gun, a segmental top carriage upon which the said cradle is supported and and a piston M, working in the said cylinder L, substantially as above described, for storing up energy during the recoil and utilizing such energy for effecting the return of the gun to its firing position, all substantially as set forth.

11. In a gun-mounting, the combination of acradle for the gun, bearin g surfaccsor slides upon which the said cradle is supported and moves in the recoil, hydraulic brakes for controlling the recoil movement of the cradle on the slides, means, comprising a cylinder L,

cOnnected'wit-h the brake-cylinders'and a pistonM, working in the said cylinder L, substantially as above described, for storing up energy during the recoil and utilizing such energy for effecting the return of the gun to its firing position, a loaded valve which permit s the flow of liquid from the brakes into the said cylinder L, but prevents its return to the said brakes, and a by-pass provided with an adjustable valve for permitting and controlling the return of the liquid from the said cylinder to the brakes, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

12. The combination of the base-plate A,

the turn-table or under carriage 13, supported thereon, the segmental checks 0 0, supported on the said turn-table and arranged to turn about a horizontal axis, the cradle E, ar-

ranged to slide upon the said cheeks, hydrau- 8 5 lie brakes D, for controlling the movement of the said cradle on the said cheeks, means, comprising acylinder L, connected with the brake-cylinders, and a piston M, working in the said cylinder L, substantially, as above described, for storing up energy during the recoil and utilizing it to effect the return of the gun to the firing position, and elevating mechanism comprising a screwshaft P, a

bearin Q, in which the said screw-shaft turns 9 5 and which is secured in the under carriage, and a nut through which the said screw-shaft works and which is secured in one of the said cheeks, the said bearing and nut beingcapable of angular movement, all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

13. The combination of the under carriage B, the checks 0 0', provided with bearing surfaces or slides andsupported upon the said under carriage so that they are movable thereon through an arc of a circle, the cradle E, supported upon the said bearing surfaces or slides a and arranged to move thereon in the recoil, the screw P, the. bearing Q, in which the said screw is fitted to rotate and which is 1 10 attached to the said under carriage so that'it is capable'of ..ngular moveine it or ad ustment, a nut in which the saidscrewworks and which is formed in two parts connected by a hinge-joint and is attached teone of the 1i 5 said cheeks so that it is capable bf angular I movement or adj nstment, the cam f, connected with the two parts of the said nut by screws 9, extending through slots in the said cam,

audthe leyer J, for operating the said cam,

all substantially as and for the purposes set forth.

14. The combination of the under carriage B, provided with the arc-shaped bearing snr faces II and with the rollers K, the segmental cheeks C- 0, provided with the brackets G and rollers G, the cradle E, provided with the brakes l), the piston-rods I) of which are fixed in the said brackets G, and means, substantially such as abovedescribed, for turn- 13o ing the said cheeks about a horizontal axis, substantially as and for the purposes setforth.

15. The combination of the under carriage B, the cheeks C C, the cradle E, provided with the hydraulic brakes D, means, comprising the cylinder L, connected with the brakecylinders, and the piston M, working in the said cylinder L, substantially as above described, forstoring up energy during the recoil and utilizing it for effecting! the return of the gun to its firing osition, the loaded valve 0, and

.thc by-pass provided with the adjustable 

